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FBS pupils continue to support the NDCS Stolen Futures Campaign 22 May 2015

Camden Deaf children join MPs to call for a debate on cuts Deaf children from Camden joined more than forty MPs at an event held at the Houses of Parliament on Thursday 16th May 2013. The National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) invited the children from Frank Barnes School for Deaf Children in Camden to come along and encourage MPs to support a call for a Parliamentary debate to protect specialist services, such as Teachers of the Deaf. Frank Barnes School children boarded the NDCS Listening Bus, which travels around the country to provide support to deaf children, to tell MPs about their hopes for the future and the help they need in school. Earlier this year, they starred in a film alongside Jim Carter, who plays Carson the Butler in ITV’s Downton Abbey, to call on the Government to stop cuts that are setting up thousands of deaf children across England to fail. “The children made a very good impression on the MPs; they confidently answered questions about themselves and their school. The children explained how they felt about potential cuts to services as they are the ones who may be directly affected. The children were also desperate to go into the Houses of Parliament and meet more MPs!” Dani Sive, Assistant Head teacher at Frank Barnes School “It was a really good trip; we were confident and signed to all of the MPs!” Setayesh, Year 6 Pupil. As part of the Stolen Futures campaign, NDCS has been running a petition to support calls for the debate. Nearly 50,000 people have signed the ‘Stolen Futures’ e-petition so far, calling on the Department for Education to intervene at a national level and ensure local authorities protect funding for deaf children. Susan Daniels, Chief Executive at NDCS, said: “We are concerned that specialist support for deaf children continues to be at risk. Services such as Teachers of the Deaf are not a luxury, they are absolutely vital. Through our campaign thousands of people have shown their support.